Islanders who cook or heat their homes with gas face paying 5% more from next week.

Island Energy says it has no other option but to raise prices again due to 'volatility' in international markets.

The increase take effect next Monday (7 November).

The company it will put an extra £4 or £5 a month on the average household bill.

It's on top of the 13.2% rise in prices last autumn.

Jo Cox, Islands Energy Group CEO, says that additional income is no longer sufficient to cover the increased costs seen in recent months.

"A 5% market-linked increase is reflective of continuing unprecedented high cost of natural gas and the knock-on effect that has on the supply of LPG, which is the type of gas supplied in Jersey.

... the price of wholesale gas has remained high throughout the last 12 months as energy markets react to a variety of complex influences including a significant number of geo-political events across the world."

The rise is a further blow to islanders pockets, with inflation currently sitting at a 32 year high of 10.4%.

There are worries that higher bills could push more households into fuel poverty over the winter.

"While 5% is a relatively small increase in the current global context, we understand that news of any increases for customers may cause concern.

Island Energy runs a Priority Customer Care scheme that can offer payment plans, ‘Comfort Checks’ for customers at home, and further support if needed."

You can sign up to the scheme by calling 755500 or on the Island Energy website.

Following last autumn's gas price increase, Island Energy (formerly Jersey Gas) made a 'significant donation to an unnamed Jersey charity to assess need and provide financial help 'where necessary' to struggling gas customers.

Ms. Cox confirmed that they will be doing this again and will also be doubling the amount that they are donating.

Meanwhile, Isle of Man Energy, which is owned by the same company as Island Energy, will be slashing prices by 25%.

Jo Cox says that's because the island is supplied with a different type of gas than Jersey and that islanders there have already had three prices rises in 2022 alone.